Other conditions decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected heart disability. The current rating of 30 percent remains unchanged.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death was not related to his military service and denied both claims for service connection for the cause of death and nonservice-connected death pension benefits.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The appeal of the denial of nonservice-connected pension benefits has been dismissed as the appellant's representative withdrew the appeal in April 2017.

The Veteran's service was not during a recognized period of war, thus he does not meet the basic eligibility criteria for nonservice-connected pension benefits.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for nonservice-connected pension benefits is granted, but only up to November 3, 2008. The Board found that the Veteran did not provide sufficient evidence of his income for the period prior to this date.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling an EMG and obtaining a medical opinion to determine the etiology of his right hand numbness.

The Veteran's case is being remanded for extra-schedular consideration of her claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for stress reaction of the right talus and fibula.

The Veteran's left foot drop was not caused by the spinal cord stimulator implantation performed at a VA medical facility in May 2005, and therefore compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is denied.

The Veteran's breast cancer and atypical lobular hyperplasia did not have its onset in active service, nor was it the result of a disease or injury incurred in active service. The Board found no evidence to support a link between her current condition and any exposure to ionizing radiation, herbicides, benzene, or other chemicals.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to an error in scheduling a VA examination and the Veteran's failure to appear. The claim will be reconsidered after the necessary development is completed.

The Board found that the Veteran's current diagnoses of diverticulosis and diverticulitis are not related to his in-service gastrointestinal symptoms, thus denying service connection for a lower gastrointestinal disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and conducting a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any alcohol and drug dependence that may be present. The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with depression is being considered as potentially causing or aggravating his substance-related disorder.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death while the appeal was pending before the Board.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of pneumothorax and percutaneous pancreatic pseudocyst, status post surgical drainage were denied. The Board found that the current assigned ratings are appropriate.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a videoconference hearing at the RO in accordance with his request. The case will be returned to the Board after scheduling the requested hearing.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of his sinus problems is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and further development.

The Veteran's active duty service did not occur during a recognized period of war, thus he is not eligible for nonservice-connected pension benefits.

The Board has determined that recovery of the overpayment in this case would be against equity and good conscience, thus granting a waiver.